Collection

Produce Guides

37 articles

Clear storage, seasonality, and cooking guidance for fruits and vegetables, written to be useful before it is clever.

Produce Guide

What is asparagus and how to cook it

Asparagus is one of the clearest signs of spring because it is tender, quick-cooking, and best when treated simply. The trick is to stop cooking it as soon as it is just done.

Produce Guide

What is basil and how to use it

Basil is a tender herb with a strong fresh aroma and a clear place in simple everyday cooking. A little goes a long way, but a bunch is still easy to use once you know where it fits.

Produce Guide

What is broccoli and how to cook it

Broccoli is one of the most useful vegetables to know because it can be roasted, steamed, sauteed, stir-fried, and eaten raw with very little fuss.

Produce Guide

What is cauliflower and how to cook it

Cauliflower is a mild brassica that takes on seasoning well and works in everything from simple roasting to soup and mash. Its strength is flexibility.

Produce Guide

What is corn and how to cook it

Fresh corn is sweet, juicy, and easy to cook when you stop treating it like a special-event vegetable. It works on the cob, off the cob, and in a range of simple summer meals.

Produce Guide

What is cucumber and how to use it

Cucumber is one of the simplest fresh vegetables to use because it needs so little cooking and pairs with almost everything. The key is knowing when to keep it raw and when to pickle or blend it.

Produce Guide

What is garlic and how to use it

Garlic is one of the most foundational ingredients in everyday cooking because it adds depth quickly without requiring much volume. Once you know the difference between raw, sauteed, roasted, and grated garlic, it becomes easier to use with confidence.

Produce Guide

What is kale and how to cook it

Kale is a sturdy leafy green that holds up well to both cooking and hearty salads. Once you know how to handle the leaves and stems, it becomes one of the easiest greens to keep using.

Produce Guide

What is lettuce? Types explained

Lettuce is not just one thing. Different lettuce types bring different texture, bitterness, sweetness, and durability to the bowl.

Produce Guide

What is onion and how to use it

Onions are one of the most useful vegetables in the kitchen because they work as both a base ingredient and a finished component. Learning a few onion styles makes everyday cooking much easier.

Produce Guide

What is spinach and how to use it

Spinach is a tender green that can move from raw salads to quick-cooked meals without much effort. Its mild flavor makes it one of the easiest greens to fold into daily cooking.

Produce Guide

What is squash? Types and uses

Squash is a broad category that covers both tender summer squash and dense winter squash. The easiest way to understand it is to split those two groups apart.